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Published 16:56 IST, September 2nd 2019

Justin Langer felt 'physically sick' after Ben Stokes' hammering

Australia's head coach Justin Langer on Monday said he felt "physically sick" in the aftermath of the heartbreaking defeat to arch-rivals England at Headingley

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Australia's head coach Justin Langer on Monday said he felt "physically sick" in the aftermath of the heartbreaking defeat to arch-rivals England in the third Ashes Test at Headingley. When all seemed lost for the hosts, Ben Stokes conjured up his magic to pull off a stunning one-wicket win with a 135-run knock at Leeds. Australia were already reeling under the loss of Steve Smith who was ruled out of the contest after developing a delayed concussion post the second Test. Ben Stokes' winning-knock is touted to be one of the greatest Test knocks of all time by members of the cricketing fraternity. 

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Justin Langer reveals he felt 'sick' after defeat

"As challenging as this week's been, it's been awesome," cricket.com.au quoted Justin Langer as saying at Old Trafford where the fourth Ashes Test begins on Wednesday. "I've loved this last week of coaching because you can either sit back and feel sorry for yourself and put it under the carpet, or you can work out ways to make sure we're up for the first ball (on Wednesday) and then the next Test match."

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Australia were frustrated by Stokes-Leach partnership

The most frustrating bit for Australia was the 10-wicket partnership of 76 runs between Stokes and Jack Leach. "That's the toughest part of it, we were that close. I actually felt physically sick after it, then I went back to my room and I wasn't sure whether to cry my eyes out or smash my hotel room." With the series locked at 1-1, a victory in the next two Tests will ensure Australia retain the urn in England for the first time since Steve Waugh's side triumphed 4-1 in 2001. Referring to that triumph, Justin Langer said, "Often it seems like history is repeating itself, but the beauty of the future is you've got a chance to have a different outcome.

"It's always been a philosophy and theme of my coaching, that we've got to do things together as much as we possibly can. It might be right, it might be wrong, that's just a strong belief I have. It's been a long hard tour, but we'll stick together as much as we can and hopefully it'll give us the right outcome", he said. 

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James Anderson ruled out of Ashes

England star James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series with a calf injury, in a blow to home hopes of winning the series against Australia. Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, has not bowled in the series since breaking down with the injury after delivering just four overs in Australia's 251-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston. The 37-year-old Lancashire paceman had tried to get fit for the fourth Test at his Old Trafford home ground starting on Wednesday.  But after bowling during a second XI match against Durham this week he has been declared unfit for the final two Tests of the series. On the same day, Australia had better news, with star batsman Steve Smith proving his fitness by batting in his first competitive game since suffering a concussion after being felled by fast bowler Jofra Archer in the second Ashes Test. Smith, in the middle for 47 minutes in Australia's three-day match against Derbyshire, faced 38 balls and struck two fours on his way to a total of 23 before he was caught out. Not a great innings but a morale booster for the tourists. England will travel to Manchester all square at 1-1 in the five-match contest after Ben Stokes's stunning 135 not saw them to a dramatic one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley last week.

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Updated 17:43 IST, September 2nd 2019